POLITICAL NOTES.

Waikato Independent, Volume IV, Issue 291, 16 October 1906, Page 5

POLITICAL NOTES.

(Our Special Correspondent.) [By Telegraph] . minister of lands to visit auckland. Wellington, This Day. The Minister for Lands has decided to be present at the Auckland Agricultural Show, on the 24th of November. STAMP DUPLICATE RECEIPTS. A deputation from the Chamber of Commerce and business people waited on the Commissioner of Stamps to-day, and urged that the law should be amended to do away with the necessity for stamping duplicate receipts. The Minister said he had already drafted a clause to provide for this. IMPROVED MAIL SERVICE. In replying to a deputation yesterday the Premier made an important statement regarding the improvement of the colony's mail services. He said negotiations were now going on with the Union Company and the Huddart Parker Company, in order to bring about the departure of their steamers from New Zealand so as to enable them to connect with the Home boats from Sydney and Melbourne. The terms they offered were not in his opinion satisfactory. One felt, of course, that the local steam services should be encouraged. But these companies, seeing that they were carrying the whole passenger service of the colony, should make an effort to meet with the wishes of the people. In respect to this question, it was suggested that one steamer at least should leave Wellington on Friday, and the Bluff as well, once a fortnight. If they could not get weekly connection, leaving upon a day alternating with the despatch mails Dy San Francisco service, the Government were prepared to pay a reasonable sum for it, but they did not want to feel tnab they were giving an undue amount to the companies that were carrying on a large passenger and cargo service as well. They also recognised that there should be an improved Frisco service. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS. At a meeting of the Cabinet yesterday, it was resolved to recommend to the Government that the Hons. "W. Montgomery (Canterbury), 11. Feldwick (Otago), and J. Kelly (Taranaki) to the Legislative Council for a further term of seven years. GENERAL. The Premier will make a declaration to-morrow as to the work which the Government desires to carry through in the remainder of the session. The consideration of the estimates ought to be completed to-day, and the Public "Works Statement will probably be presented on Friday.